US9311908B2 - Diaphragm and process for producing a diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer - Google Patents

Diaphragm and process for producing a diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer Download PDF

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Publication number
US9311908B2
US9311908B2 US13/383,424 US201013383424A US9311908B2 US 9311908 B2 US9311908 B2 US 9311908B2 US 201013383424 A US201013383424 A US 201013383424A US 9311908 B2 US9311908 B2 US 9311908B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
diaphragm
coating
surface region
diaphragm body
transparent
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Expired - Fee Related, expires
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US13/383,424
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English (en)
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US20120113758A1 (en
Inventor
Hans-Wilhelm Wehling
Wilhelm Korthals
Uwe Kupfernagel
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Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
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Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
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Assigned to VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH reassignment VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KUPFERNAGEL, UWE, WEHLING, HANS-WILHELM, KORTHALS, WILHELM
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K9/00—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers
    • G10K9/18—Details, e.g. bulbs, pumps, pistons, switches or casings
    • G10K9/20—Sounding members
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K9/00—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers
    • G10K9/12—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated
    • G10K9/122—Devices in which sound is produced by vibrating a diaphragm or analogous element, e.g. fog horns, vehicle hooters or buzzers electrically operated using piezoelectric driving means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a diaphragm and to a process for producing a diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer of the type mentioned in the preamble of claims 1 and 12 , respectively.
  • the diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer is already known from WO2005/024451 A2.
  • the diaphragm comprises a pot-shaped diaphragm body which is made of aluminium and the base of which forms an oscillating diaphragm surface.
  • the ultrasonic sensor is intended for use in parking assist systems of vehicles and, in the installed state, is fastened to an outer cladding part of the vehicle, with the diaphragm protruding out of the transducer housing, passing through an assembly opening in the cladding part and being arranged with the outer side of the diaphragm surface freely on the outer side of the vehicle.
  • the outer side of the diaphragm surface thus forms part of the visible outer skin of the vehicle. So that the exposed diaphragm surface blends into the outer skin of the vehicle as aesthetically as possible, the outer side of the diaphragm surface is provided with a coating.
  • a dark-coloured powder coating is provided as the coating at least on the exposed diaphragm surface, it being possible for the powder coating to be painted over on the outside in the colour of the vehicle.
  • EP 1 796 076 B1 discloses a diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer, the exposed diaphragm surface of which is provided with a chrome/nickel coating.
  • a chrome/nickel coating makes it possible to achieve a highly reflective diaphragm surface, as a result of which a visually pleasing integration of the diaphragm is made possible, in particular when assembling the transducer on chrome trim of the vehicle.
  • the application of the chrome/nickel coating is relatively complex and costly.
  • the diaphragm surface exposed on the bumper of the vehicle is exposed to a particularly high degree of environmental influences, such as moisture, electric leakage currents, temperature influences or stone chips, which can lead to the coating being damaged.
  • a particularly high degree of environmental influences such as moisture, electric leakage currents, temperature influences or stone chips, which can lead to the coating being damaged.
  • Such instances of damage can cause the chrome/nickel layer to flake off or chip off; not only does this have a negative effect on the appearance of the diaphragm surface, but it can also entail corrosion of the diaphragm surface.
  • the chrome/nickel layer which has flaked off or chipped off can influence the oscillation behaviour of the diaphragm surface and thereby cause the ultrasonic transducer to make incorrect measurements.
  • the advantage achieved by the invention is that the coating has a transparent form such that the surface region of the diaphragm body is visible through the coating.
  • the appearance of the surface region is therefore at least largely retained even if the coating is damaged, i.e. regions with a coating which has not been damaged act visually together with regions with a damaged coating or a coating which is no longer present, since an observer always sees the metal surface of the diaphragm body in all regions.
  • a largely uniform appearance and reflection behaviour of the diaphragm surface are retained even if the coating is damaged.
  • the approach according to the invention therefore consists in not concealing the metallic diaphragm surface, but instead making it visible through a transparent coating.
  • the diaphragm surface provided with the transparent coatings here acts visually like a chrome coating, without however having the disadvantages thereof in terms of resistance and corrosion behaviour. If necessary, the hue of the visible diaphragm surface can be adapted to the adjoining outer skin of the vehicle by colouring the transparent coating.
  • the surface region of the diaphragm body which is visible through the transparent coating preferably has a highly reflective form so as to achieve a visually pleasing, highly reflective appearance of the diaphragm.
  • a highly reflective appearance can be obtained, in particular, by a polished surface region of the diaphragm body, it being possible for the polished surface region to be produced by a mechanical or electropolishing process.
  • the surface region of the diaphragm body is preferably degreased and pickled using a wet-chemical pretreatment process. Since the wet-chemical pretreatment is effected after the polishing, it should be ensured that the polished surface region of the diaphragm body is not damaged by the pretreatment and does not become tarnished or dull.
  • the surface region of the diaphragm body can be provided with a passivation layer, the passivation layer preferably being produced in a chrome-free process. In this case, too, it should be ensured that the polished surface does not become tarnished or dull as a result of the chemical treatment.
  • a transparent layer of paint of an electrically non-conductive material is preferably provided as the coating of the surface region.
  • the coating can be in the form of a transparent powder coating, in particular of acrylic powder.
  • the coating according to the invention is advantageous in particular for diaphragm bodies made of aluminium, since these are particularly susceptible to corrosion.
  • the coated diaphragm body can be used in particular in an ultrasonic distance sensor for vehicles which is usually installed in the bumper region of the vehicle and is therefore exposed to a particularly high degree of environmental influences.
  • the diaphragm body can have a pot-shaped form and in its base region can form the oscillating diaphragm surface, wherein the coated surface region is arranged on the outer side of the diaphragm surface.
  • the coated surface region preferably encompasses the entire outer side of the diaphragm surface and also at least one adjoining transition region to a lateral surface of the diaphragm body. It is thereby possible to prevent damage from occurring proceeding from the edge of the coating.
  • FIG. 1 shows a section through a diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer.
  • FIG. 1 shows a section through a diaphragm 1 for an ultrasonic transducer for vehicles.
  • the ultrasonic transducer which is not shown in more detail, is intended for use as a distance sensor in parking assist systems of motor vehicles and comprises a transducer housing which, in the installed state, is fastened via an associated holder to an outer cladding part, such as for example a bumper, of the automobile.
  • the outer cladding part is formed, in particular, by a trim strip which is integrated in a bumper and has a chrome-plated surface or a surface in chrome optics.
  • the diaphragm 1 comprises a diaphragm body 2 which overall has a pot-shaped form and has a cylindrical circumferential wall 3 and a base region, which forms an oscillating diaphragm surface 4 .
  • the diaphragm surface 4 and the circumferential wall 3 merge into one another at their outer sides 5 and 6 at a transition region 7 , the transition region 7 being formed by a radius.
  • a transition region 7 with a bevel angle, for example, would also be possible.
  • the oscillating diaphragm surface 4 is excited to oscillate via a piezo element (not shown) which is arranged, in the installed state, on the inner side of the diaphragm surface 4 .
  • a collar 9 is angled circumferentially away from the free end of the cylindrical circumferential wall 3 of the diaphragm body 2 .
  • the diaphragm body 2 has been produced from aluminium in one part and has been produced mechanically, in particular by material-removing machining, from a semi-finished product.
  • the diaphragm 2 protrudes from the transducer housing with the diaphragm surface 4 and a portion of its lateral surface 3 , the diaphragm surface 4 passing through a corresponding through-opening in the adjoining outer cladding part of the automobile and, by way of its outer side 5 , adjoining the outer side of the outer cladding part approximately flush.
  • the outer side 5 of the diaphragm surface 4 and the outer side 8 of the adjoining transition region 7 thus lie freely on the outer side of the vehicle and form a subregion of the visible outer skin of the vehicle.
  • the outer sides 5 and 8 of the diaphragm surface 4 and of the transition region 7 each have a polished, highly reflective surface which has been produced by a mechanical polishing process. Furthermore, the outer sides of the lateral surface 6 , of the transition region 7 and of the diaphragm surface 4 have been degreased and pickled using a wet-chemical process and surface-treated using a chrome-free passivation process.
  • the outer sides of the lateral surface 6 , the outer side 8 of the transition region 7 and the outer side 5 of the diaphragm surface 4 are provided over their entire surface area with a continuous coating 10 of transparent paint.
  • a single-layer clearcoat is used as the coating 10 , the coating 10 having a transparent form such that the polished outer side of the diaphragm body 2 is visible through the coating 10 .
  • the coating 10 provided is a powder coating in particular of acrylic paint.
  • the diaphragm 1 In the outer sides 5 and 8 of the diaphragm surface 4 and of the transition region 7 , which have been polished to a high reflectivity and are arranged in the visible region when the transducer is mounted, the diaphragm 1 therefore has a highly reflective appearance.
  • the coating 10 of powder has a different layer thickness in the various surface regions of the diaphragm body 2 .
  • the coating On the outer side 5 of the diaphragm surface 4 , the coating has a thickness of at least 70 ⁇ m, preferably about 100 ⁇ m, since this region is exposed to the environmental influences to a particularly high degree when the ultrasonic transducer is mounted. In the transition region 7 and in the region of the lateral surface 6 , by contrast, the coating has a thickness of only at least 10-12 ⁇ m.
  • the transparent coating 10 of powder is applied directly to the pre-treated surface of the diaphragm body 2 and then forms the outer side of the surface of the diaphragm 1 . No further coatings are provided either on the outer side of the coating 10 or between the coating 10 and the outer side 5 and 8 of the diaphragm body 2 .
  • the powder coating can be coloured continuously, the colouring being transparent such that the surface of the diaphragm body 2 is visible through the coating 10 in the hue of the colouring.
  • the colouring here is obtained by the addition of appropriate dyes to the powder coating.
  • the process for producing the diaphragm 1 proceeds as follows:
  • the diaphragm body 2 is produced by machining from an aluminium semi-finished product.
  • a precisely defined thickness of the diaphragm surface 4 is created, such that the diaphragm surface 4 has precisely a predefined resonant frequency after it has been completed.
  • material is further removed from the outer side 5 of the diaphragm surface 4 during the subsequent polishing process.
  • the outer side 5 of the diaphragm surface 4 and the outer side 8 of the transition region 7 are then polished to a high reflectivity in order to produce a smooth, highly reflective surface in the visible region of the diaphragm surface.
  • the machining of the diaphragm body 2 is thus completed.
  • the diaphragm body 2 Before painting, the diaphragm body 2 is degreased, pickled and rinsed in a wet-chemical process in various baths. In a subsequent, chrome-free passivation process, the diaphragm surface is then provided with a passivation layer for improved corrosion resistance and paint adhesion.
  • the pretreatment must be configured overall such that, in contrast to conventional picklings and passivations, the highly reflective surfaces 5 and 8 are not impaired.
  • the pre-treated diaphragm body 1 is provided with the transparent coating 10 in a powder coating process.
  • the diaphragm body 2 is firstly inserted into a corresponding receiving frame, from which only the surface regions of the diaphragm body 2 which are to be provided with the coating 10 protrude.
  • a transparent powder coating of acrylic powder is then statically sprayed as a mist onto the surfaces 5 , 6 and 8 of the diaphragm body 2 which are to be coated, and is then baked in a heating furnace. After baking, the coating 10 shown in FIG. 1 is then present.
  • the coating 10 When applying the coating 10 , it should be ensured that a predefined layer thickness is complied with over the entire region of the diaphragm surface 4 , in order to achieve the desired oscillation behaviour of the coated diaphragm surface 4 . Furthermore, the layer thickness in the transition region 7 and on the lateral surface 2 must not be below a value of 10-12 ⁇ m, so as to ensure that these regions are sufficiently protected.
  • the diaphragm 1 can be provided directly, i.e. without the application of further, outer coatings, with a piezo element and installed on the ultrasonic transducer.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
US13/383,424 2009-07-23 2010-06-17 Diaphragm and process for producing a diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer Expired - Fee Related US9311908B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102009034418A DE102009034418A1 (de) 2009-07-23 2009-07-23 Membran und Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Membran für einen Ultraschallwandler
DE102009034418.7 2009-07-23
DE102009034418 2009-07-23
PCT/EP2010/003663 WO2011009513A1 (de) 2009-07-23 2010-06-17 Membran und verfahren zur herstellung einer membran für einen ultraschallwandler

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20120113758A1 US20120113758A1 (en) 2012-05-10
US9311908B2 true US9311908B2 (en) 2016-04-12

Family

ID=42734062

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/383,424 Expired - Fee Related US9311908B2 (en) 2009-07-23 2010-06-17 Diaphragm and process for producing a diaphragm for an ultrasonic transducer

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US9311908B2 (de)
EP (1) EP2457231A1 (de)
CN (1) CN102483912B (de)
DE (1) DE102009034418A1 (de)
WO (1) WO2011009513A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012106698A1 (de) * 2012-07-24 2014-01-30 Volkswagen Ag Ultraschallsensoranordnung mit einem in einer Mulde verdeckt angeordneten Ultraschallsensor, Kraftfahrzeug und Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Ultraschallsensoranordnung
DE102012019922B4 (de) * 2012-10-11 2023-03-02 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Batterieanordnung in einem Fahrzeug
US20140157894A1 (en) 2012-12-12 2014-06-12 Tung Thih Electronic Co., Ltd. Transducer Case
DE102017002515A1 (de) 2017-03-15 2017-10-19 Daimler Ag Stelleinrichtung für ein Luftleitelement eines Stoßfängers eines Kraftwagens
DE102019219391A1 (de) * 2019-12-11 2021-06-17 Robert Bosch Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Membran für einen Ultraschallsensor und Membran für einen Ultraschallwandler

Citations (13)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3555311A (en) 1969-01-23 1971-01-12 Marquardt Corp High pressure piezoelectric transducer
US3578995A (en) * 1969-09-22 1971-05-18 Dynamics Corp Massa Div Electroacoustic transducers of the bilaminar flexural vibrating type
US3638052A (en) * 1969-09-22 1972-01-25 Dynamics Corp America Electroacoustic transducers of the bilaminar flexural vibrating type
WO2001061375A1 (de) 2000-02-17 2001-08-23 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Ultraschallsensor
WO2002012027A1 (de) 2000-08-10 2002-02-14 Rehau Ag + Co Ultraschallwandler/sensor zum einbau in einen stossfänger eines kraftfahrzeuges
EP1431957A2 (de) 2002-12-19 2004-06-23 Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH Ultraschallsensor und Herstellungsverfahren
WO2005024451A2 (de) 2003-08-11 2005-03-17 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Sensor für ein nahbereichserkennungs- bzw. einparkhilfesystem eines fahrzeugs und herstellungsverfahren hierfür
DE102004031310A1 (de) 2004-06-29 2006-01-19 Robert Bosch Gmbh Membrantopf für einen Ultraschallwandler
EP1796076A1 (de) 2005-12-10 2007-06-13 Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Ultraschallsensors
DE102006027594A1 (de) 2006-06-14 2007-12-20 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Ultraschallsensor und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Ultraschallsensors
EP1902789A1 (de) 2006-09-22 2008-03-26 Baumer Electric AG Ultraschallwandler und Ultraschallsensor
US20090041942A1 (en) * 2005-07-27 2009-02-12 Kouki Hayashi Water-Borne Metallic Coating Composition and Method of Forming Multilayered Coating Film
US20090189054A1 (en) * 2008-01-30 2009-07-30 Infineon Technologies Ag System and method including a prealigner

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006345312A (ja) * 2005-06-09 2006-12-21 Denso Corp 超音波センサ及び超音波振動子
DE102005039093A1 (de) * 2005-08-08 2007-02-15 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Ultraschallsensor, Entkopplungsmaterial für einen Ultraschallsensor und Verfahren zur Lackierung eines Ultraschallsensors
DE102006050037A1 (de) * 2006-10-24 2008-04-30 Robert Bosch Gmbh Ultraschallwandler

Patent Citations (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3555311A (en) 1969-01-23 1971-01-12 Marquardt Corp High pressure piezoelectric transducer
US3578995A (en) * 1969-09-22 1971-05-18 Dynamics Corp Massa Div Electroacoustic transducers of the bilaminar flexural vibrating type
US3638052A (en) * 1969-09-22 1972-01-25 Dynamics Corp America Electroacoustic transducers of the bilaminar flexural vibrating type
WO2001061375A1 (de) 2000-02-17 2001-08-23 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Ultraschallsensor
WO2002012027A1 (de) 2000-08-10 2002-02-14 Rehau Ag + Co Ultraschallwandler/sensor zum einbau in einen stossfänger eines kraftfahrzeuges
EP1431957A2 (de) 2002-12-19 2004-06-23 Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH Ultraschallsensor und Herstellungsverfahren
WO2005024451A2 (de) 2003-08-11 2005-03-17 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Sensor für ein nahbereichserkennungs- bzw. einparkhilfesystem eines fahrzeugs und herstellungsverfahren hierfür
US20070017807A1 (en) * 2003-08-11 2007-01-25 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Sensor for a short-range detection system and/or parking system of a motor vehicle and method for the production thereof
DE102004031310A1 (de) 2004-06-29 2006-01-19 Robert Bosch Gmbh Membrantopf für einen Ultraschallwandler
US20090041942A1 (en) * 2005-07-27 2009-02-12 Kouki Hayashi Water-Borne Metallic Coating Composition and Method of Forming Multilayered Coating Film
EP1796076A1 (de) 2005-12-10 2007-06-13 Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Ultraschallsensors
DE102006027594A1 (de) 2006-06-14 2007-12-20 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Ultraschallsensor und Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Ultraschallsensors
EP1902789A1 (de) 2006-09-22 2008-03-26 Baumer Electric AG Ultraschallwandler und Ultraschallsensor
US20090189054A1 (en) * 2008-01-30 2009-07-30 Infineon Technologies Ag System and method including a prealigner

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
International Search Report issued in PCT/EP2010/003663, mailed on Oct. 5, 2010, with translation, 6 pages.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102009034418A1 (de) 2011-01-27
EP2457231A1 (de) 2012-05-30
WO2011009513A1 (de) 2011-01-27
US20120113758A1 (en) 2012-05-10
CN102483912B (zh) 2015-09-16
CN102483912A (zh) 2012-05-30

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